City Councillor Ana Bailao has been arrested on drunk-driving charges, after a police officer spotted the politician driving without her headlights on early Tuesday morning, a police source said.

The officer, who works out of Bailao’s local 14 Division, first noticed Bailão, 36, at 1:43 a.m., heading north on Bathurst St.

“The officer attempted to pull her over. The vehicle didn’t stop and then they finally stopped at Harbord and Bathurst Sts.,” said the source.

The time of call is listed at 1:47 a.m.

In a short statement released by her office, Bailao confirmed the charge and called the situation “regrettable.”

On Monday night, Bailao was one of several councillors who attended the Mayor’s Ball for the Arts. The event ended around 10 p.m. and a number city hall officials — former and present — had plans to go out afterward to the Thompson Hotel.

It is not clear if Bailao was among those who attended, nor is it clear where the group ended up.

Asked about the evening, Councillor Mark Grimes said: “I’m not commenting on anything about this. This is not about me. It’s about Ana. And out of respect for Ana I’m not commenting.”

Reached late Tuesday, Thompson Hotel manager Diogo Prado could not confirm if the group visited the posh lounge at Wellington and Bathurst Sts.

“We’re still investigating. I’m not even sure if they were here,” he said.

Bailao has been charged with impaired driving and driving with 80 mg of alcohol in her system per 100 ml of blood. The second charge indicates Bailao consented to a breathalyzer.

Councillor Michelle Berardinetti — who a year ago apprehended a drunk driver, forcing him to the side of the road before calling police — sat at the table with Bailao at the arts ball.

“She’s always had the best attitude and outstanding character. I think everybody makes mistakes, and if that’s the case — and I’m not sure because I’m not sure what her comments are going to be — I didn’t see any of that type of behaviour last night,” said Berardinetti, who added she went straight home after the event.

Mayor Rob Ford, who himself was charged with impaired driving in Florida in 1999, said Bailao is innocent until proven guilty.

“We’ve all made mistakes. She’s a great councillor and I support her. It’s unfortunate, as I said, but we all make mistakes.”

Since her election to the west-end ward two years ago, Bailao has been a wild card on council — sometimes supporting the mayor and sometimes the opposition. In the 2003 election, she lost to former TTC chair and councillor Adam Giambrone by 1,260 votes.

Bailao emigrated from Alenquer, Portugal, as a teenager and graduated from the University of Toronto. Prior to coming to city hall, Bailao worked as an assistant to a former Ward 18 councillor, Mario Silva.

She is scheduled to appear in Old City Hall court Dec. 3 at 11 a.m. in courtroom 111.

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